Profession-specific requirements
Which level does your profession need?
General CEFR levels are a starting point. Regulated professions -- healthcare, teaching, and engineering have additional language exams and recognition requirements on top of the standard certificate.
Last verified April 2026. Data sourced from Make it in Germany, Bundesärztekammer, KMK, and anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. Rules vary by federal state; always confirm with the relevant authority before applying.
Nursing
Pflegefachkraft
- B2 general German is required before starting the professional recognition process.
- A Fachsprachprüfung (FSP), a specialist nursing language exam, is mandatory before obtaining a licence to practise.
- The FSP tests medical vocabulary, patient communication, and clinical documentation.
- Some states permit provisional employment as a nursing assistant while completing the B2 requirement.
Accepted certificates
The FSP is administered by the state nursing or medical chamber and is separate from the B2 general certificate. Both are required before full licensure.
Medicine
Ärzte
- B2 general German is required to begin the Approbation (licence to practise) recognition process.
- C1 is expected for medical specialization (Facharztausbildung).
- A Fachsprachprüfung (FSP) via the relevant Landesärztekammer is mandatory before receiving Approbation.
- The FSP format and registration process vary by federal state, as each Landesärztekammer operates independently.
Accepted certificates
A general C1 certificate does not satisfy the FSP requirement. Contact your target state's Landesärztekammer directly for exam format, dates, and registration.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeuten
- B2 German is required as part of the formal qualification recognition process.
- All documents submitted during recognition must be in German with certified translations.
- Some states require an additional specialist health-professions language assessment before granting a licence.
Accepted certificates
Requirements vary by federal state. Check the specific recognition authority for your target state via anerkennung-in-deutschland.de before applying.
Teaching
Lehrkräfte
- Teaching is a state-regulated profession; each federal state sets its own recognition requirements.
- The Deutsches Sprachdiplom II (DSD II), targeting C1, is widely recognised for teacher recognition.
- Most states require at least C1 for public school positions.
- Private and international schools may accept B2; contact the institution directly.
Accepted certificates
Recognition requirements differ significantly by state (Bundesland) and by subject. Always contact the relevant state education authority (Kultusministerium) for your specific situation.
Skilled Trades
Ausbildung pathway
- B1 is the recommended minimum to begin vocational training (Ausbildung) in Germany.
- Classroom instruction and written exams during the Ausbildung are conducted entirely in German.
- Some training companies may admit candidates with A2 if they confirm sufficient language competency in person.
- Launched under the 2024 Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz reform, a dedicated recognition pathway now exists for qualified tradespeople.
B1 is the practical floor for successfully completing an Ausbildung. Starting below B1 significantly increases dropout risk.
IT / Software Engineering
Software-Entwickler
- No German certificate is required for the EU Blue Card or Skilled Worker Visa for IT roles.
- Most tech companies in Germany use English as their primary working language.
- Reaching B1 shortens the path to permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) from 33 months to 21 months.
- A1 German earns 1 point toward the 6-point threshold for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte).
German is not a barrier to entry for IT roles, but B1 is the most cost-effective investment for long-term residence planning.
Engineering
Ingenieure (regulated)
- No German certificate is required for the work visa for most engineering roles.
- Regulated professions (civil, structural engineering) require formal Berufsanerkennung, which includes a language assessment.
- B1-B2 is typically expected during the recognition process for regulated disciplines.
- Non-regulated engineering roles (most private-sector positions) have no statutory German language requirement.
Whether your engineering specialisation is regulated varies by federal state. Check via anerkennung-in-deutschland.de before assuming a requirement applies.
Requirements by country
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: rules compared per pathway.
Full requirements guide
Study, Work, Stay, Belong: all four chapters.
Also see: requirements by life goal
Each chapter covers accepted certificates, exam formats, and what immigration authorities actually check, beyond just the CEFR number.
Practice for your target exam
Mock exams with instant scoring for Goethe and TELC. All CEFR levels.